Swimming device.



F. W. J. GOERSCHQ Patented May 27, 1913.

27%1/ fi zy/0% Inventor,

Witnesses al BMW Attorneys.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON, n. c

'user of the device.

FRIEDRICH WM. J. GOERSGH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SWIMMING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 16, 1912.

Patented May 27,1913.

Serial No. 715,463.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH IV. J. GoERscH, a subject of the Emperorof Germany, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and Stateof Ohio, have invented a new and useful Swimming Device, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to swimming devices, and it has for its objectthe provision of a device for use by swimmers which will make themot-ions of the swimmer more effective than .when he is not suppliedwith the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a swimmer with a devicewhich may be used to assist him in swimming and may be abandoned at anytime to enable the swimmer to grasp any floating object to which hisattention may be directed.

The device consists of. the peculiarities of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterdisclosed and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention :-Figure 1 is aperspective view of the device fitted to the hand of the user. Fig. 2 isa section on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail View showing amodification which may be made in the invention.

In the drawings, in which corresponding views are designated by similarcharacters of reference throughout 1 designates a piece of metal ofsuitable thickness, which is preferably bent, as shown in Fig. 2 toconform to the curve naturally produced on the palm of the hand, 2designates a strap suitably attached to the member 1 at 3, and adaptedto go around the wrist of the wearer or The strap 2 is preferably madeof any suitable leather which will fit smoothly around the wrist of thewearer and comprises a wide member-4t and a narrower fastening strap 5which is provided with a buckle 6. About midway between the ends of themember 1 I preferably provide on its upper surface a pair of divergentslightly curved lips 7, which are to engage the third and fourth fingersof the wearer. The members 7 are preferably formed by punching out flapsfrom the member 1,

which should be made of sheet metal or similar material. The parts 7 arebent backward and diverge slightly at their ends, as shown, to afiord agood hold upon the fingers of the wearers hand.

A modification of the device hereinbefore described is illustrated inFig. 3. In this figure, the member 7 is replaced by a knob 8 which ispreferably formed of wood or other suitable material and is secured inplace by means of a rivet 9, which may be driven through the knob fromend to end as shown.

The mode of using the swimming device will be readily understood from'aninspection of the accompanying drawings.

The device is fitted on each hand of the wearer, as shown in Fig. 1' ofthe drawings and when so fitted will give a very considerable increasedefiect to each stroke'made by the swimmer. Moreover, in order to releasethe hand from the device it is merely necessary to spread the fingers atthe middle of the device, when the plate 1 will at once swing downwardand out of the .way, leaving the hand free to grasp any object to whichthe swimmers attention may be called.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. A device of the character describedcomprising a blade or paddle, a wrist band flexibly connected thereto,flaps cut from said paddle and bent upwardly, said flaps slightly convexand adapted to engage the third and fourth fingers of the wearer.

2. A device of the character described comprising a blade or paddle, awrist band connected to said blade or paddle by means of a strip ofleather, said blade or paddle slightly curved longitudinally in order toconform with the outline of the palm, flaps cut from said paddle andbent upwardly, said flaps slightly convex and adapted to fit between thethird and fourth fingers of the hand of the user.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRIEDRICH WM. J. GOERSCH.

Witnesses:

HENRY J. RoBiNsoN, GHARLEs H. HERTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G.

